A season after leading the league in dead cap hits the Atlanta Falcons now have the second most cap space in the league and are looking to make a playoff push. Terry Fontenot did a great job getting rid of a myriad of bad contracts opting for short-term pain to set up a long-term window to contend.
With Tom Brady retiring and Aaron Rodgers facing an uncertain future, the NFC hasn’t been this wide open in a very long time. The timing of Atlanta’s moves has worked out perfectly and gives them a chance to be a real playoff contender this season.
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones both are officially off of Atlanta’s cap space with Jones and Ryan taking up a large portion of Atlanta’s cap both in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Ryan was obviously still playing in Atlanta in 2021 with the Falcons opting to take a painful out in the 2022 season setting their dead cap at a league-high.
That number is currently at $16.5 million in dead cap for the 2023 season. A very reasonable number that has the majority tied up in Atlanta dealing with the final bad contract of the previous front office.
3. Lorenzo Carter $1 million dead cap hit
Update: Atlanta re-signed Lorenzo Carter to a two-year deal
The Atlanta Falcons clearly should be considering bringing Carter back despite the pass rusher failing to make a consistent impact. Carter had some great moments and still could be a consideration on a cheap veteran deal, however, Atlanta’s focus will be on adding a top pass rusher either in a trade or in the draft bringing Carter back only if they believe they can put another high impact player on the other side.
Lorenzo had 4.0 sacks during his lone season with Atlanta and should have no problem finding another role as an edge rusher if the Falcons fail to bring him back. Carter needs a reliable defensive line around him to make a consistent impact and outside of Grady Jarrett the Falcons clearly lacked any consistency along the defensive line.
Bring Carter back and focus on putting improvements around him and Carter doubling his sack total isn’t at all out of the question. Atlanta needs to bring in a capable edge rusher alongside Carter and add help on the inside with Jarrett and the defense would take a huge step forward.
2. Marcus Mariota $2.5 million dead cap hit
Atlanta couldn’t bring back Mariota as either a starter or backup considering his level of play and how his time with the franchise ended. Stepping away after being benched is completely understandable, however, it will also come at a price with Mariota failing to be there to support Desmond Ridder.
Mariota’s time with Atlanta will be remembered for missed opportunities and what could have been for a team that was given every chance to win the NFC South. Mariota is likely looking for a backup job or could consider changing leagues if the veteran prefers to start.
Atlanta is in far better hands with either Desmond Ridder or almost any other starting option either in free agency or a potential trade. Mariota’s only value at this point in his career is the ability to create with his legs. As a passer the veteran somehow regressed unable to make basic throws or get on the same page as Kyle Pitts. Atlanta clearly jumped off of Matt Ryan at the right time, however, it is hard to remember that after watching Marcus Mariota as a starter for much of the 2022 season.
1. Deion Jones $12.1 million dead cap hit
Questioning a player’s effort is something that should be done only with a lot of careful consideration and closely watching the tape. With that said, however, watching Deion Jones in the final two seasons with Atlanta it was clear something had changed. Whether it was an injury, loss of ability or complete lack of effort depends on perspective.
What was clear and inarguable was the step back that Deion Jones had taken after being the heart of the Atlanta defense consistently flying sideline to sideline making plays that helped the Falcons make the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.
Atlanta decided to part ways with Jones sending the linebacker to Cleveland and dealing with the dead cap hit during the 2023 season completely clearing the deck of bad contracts. Jones will always be remembered for the plays he made in his first three seasons helping Atlanta contend and playing a key role in their Super Bowl appearance making the way it ended all the more painful for a player who had great moments in Atlanta.